Today show host Karl Stefanovic’s ‘$2.5million-a-year salary HALVED

Today show host Karl Stefanovic’s ‘$2.5 million-a-year salary is halved’ as he renews his contract with Channel Nine for another three years – amid COVID-19 cutbacks

Today show host Karl Stefanovic has reportedly struggled to hold on to his huge pay cheque due to COVID-19 cutbacks.

According to The Australian, the 45-year-old has renewed his contract with Channel Nine, but his $2.5million-a-year salary has been halved.

The publication claims that Karl will remain at the network until at least 2023, but his new base salary will be $1.25million.  

Paycheck: Today show host Karl Stefanovic’s ‘$2.5million-a-year salary has reportedly been halved as he renews his contract with Channel Nine for another three years’ amid COVID-19 cutbacks

However, his agent Mark Morrissey has negotiated a pay rise to $2million-a-year if the Today show consistency beats Seven’s Sunrise.

Nine declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia, but confirmed Karl will be returning next year as Today show host.

‘We can confirm the sentiment from Karl that he is very happy to have reconfirmed his commitment to Nine and the Today Show,’ a spokesperson said. 

Negotiations: Karl will reportedly remain at the network until at least 2023, but his new base salary will be $1.25million

Negotiations: Karl will reportedly remain at the network until at least 2023, but his new base salary will be $1.25million

In recent weeks, the Channel Nine breakfast show has continued to close the gap with Seven Network rivals Sunrise in the morning TV ratings battle.

Last week, Today pulled in an average audience of 191,000 in East Coast capitals of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane combined, which was more than ‘Australia’s No. 1’ Sunrise’s 189,000, OzTam revealed.

It also had a five-city metro audience of 231,000, which was just 36,000 viewers less than Sunrise (267,000).

Success: In recent weeks, Channel Nine's breakfast show has continued to close the gap with Seven Network rivals Sunrise in the morning TV ratings battle

Success: In recent weeks, Channel Nine’s breakfast show has continued to close the gap with Seven Network rivals Sunrise in the morning TV ratings battle

Today is also firmly back in second place, after falling behind ABC News Breakfast earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Karl was sacked from Today show in December 2018 after his personal life was blamed for the declining ratings.

He was reinstated as co-anchor in January this year alongside Allison Langdon.

He's back! Karl was sacked from Today show in December 2018. He was reinstated as co-anchor in January this year alongside Allison Langdon

He’s back! Karl was sacked from Today show in December 2018. He was reinstated as co-anchor in January this year alongside Allison Langdon

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